Podcasts

The Happi Podcast: Godrej North America's Kendria Strong & Akuba Torvikey

The Happi Podcast: Godrej North America's Kendria Strong & Akuba Torvikey

Beauty business executives discuss their role in new product development, careers and more.

09.28.20
 

Godrej North America is a leading company in the personal care space, with brands such as African Pride, Just for Me and more. Behind those brands are  Kendria Strong (EVP of Marketing and Innovation) and Akuba Torvikey Dawkins (Head of Product Development). In this podcast, they discuss the challenges of working in new product development, their careers, and how to carve out one's own space in the beauty business.




Kendria Strong


Kendria Strong

Strong conceptualized and created new African Pride’s new Moisture Miracle and spearheaded the reformulation, repackaging and relaunch of the legacy’s brand full portfolio. In 2017 she joined Godrej US as Marketing Director and Innovation Lead, and 2020 became Executive Vice President of Marketing and Innovation. During that time, her team has grown from one – Kendria – to 25 full time employees and 5 contractors consisting of creative talent, brand managers, professional educators, NPD managers, social media, and administrative support. She has a product innovation and renovation portfolio of 90 products that have rejuvenated leading legacy brands; African Pride, Just for Me, Dr.Miracles, Afro Sheen and Motions. Godrej US brands have received 15 awards since her leadership, with leading organizations, Allure, Naturally Curly, Curlbox, Refinery 21 and many more.
 


Akuba Torvikey Dawkins


Akuba Torvikey Dawkins

Torvikey, a graduate of both the University of Georgia & Brenau University,  started out her career as a systems integrations testing lead for a major IT consulting company. Wanting to pursue more creative work, she leveraged her IT consulting background and marketing acumen to transition into beauty marketing and promotions for Bronner Bros. She has since worked with dozens of multi-million dollar brands and beauty startups in skin and hair care providing programming, innovation, and marketing strategies both nationally and internationally. Currently, Akuba serves as the Product Development Manager for Strength of Nature, a Godrej company. She manages product development, testing, and consumer insights in the manufacturing of multi-cultural hair care products. She's tested, launched, and reformulated over 150 products to date and has been recognized twice as the top 1% of her company in innovation. In addition to her professional endeavors, Akuba is the founder of Breedlove, an Accelerator for Beauty & Wellness startups in Atlanta.
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